Pliny Fisk III

My visits to MaxPot in 1978, 1982 and 1985 were an exciting part of my work in my late teens and twenties.

"The arc of the universe is long, but it been towards justice..." and efficiency.

May Pliny's memory be a blessing to his family and to us all..

I had certainly heard of CMPBS for years, but I hadn't heard Pliny in person until last summer, up in Bainbridge Island. And so just earlier this year, when in Austin, made time for a visit. I was honored that Pliny himself, and then Gail, took the time to share the vision of the center, and its history, with characteristic wit and piercing insight. A visit and memory I will never forget.

Working with Pliny and at Max’s Pot was a formative experience for me, both personally and professionally. I was just telling a young architect in my office about the start of my career and my experience at Max’s Pot.

One of my favorite memories of Pliny was after I moved to Seattle. He was in town and called me up. He wanted me to go kayaking with him at Salt Spring Island. The next morning. I think what he really wanted was someone to drive him up there but I wouldn’t think of saying no. I took the day off work and we had a great time. It was spontaneous and chaotic and wonderful and very Pliny.

He was a tremendous inspiration to me and a great man. I’m sorry I missed the opportunity to celebrate 50 years last year. I would have loved to see him again. My condolences to you all, and I wish you the best.

I can't remember when I first met Pliny. Probably it was in the 1970's when I was heavily involved with various appropriate technology projects. My most vivid memory of Pliny is from the load-bearing straw bale workshop I organized in 1989 in Oracle, AZ. Pliny attended. So did another old straw baler friend who died in 2024: Matts Myhrman.
At the end of the workshop, we all agreed that we'd successfully built a load-bearing straw bale small utility building, proving that it was straightforward to build structurally sound load-bearing bale buildings. Pliny's ideas and efforts during the workshop were key to the workshop's success. I'll always remember how happy he was, working with everyone, getting his hands dirty moving bales, attaching mesh, plastering. Pliny will be missed by many. Goodbye, Pliny.

Wherever you are, Pliny, here's a little something that'll bring a smile. I figure I’ll play a little tune from way back when you were just a boy, down in Texas — same one my granny’d sing to me whenever my spirits got low."

"Happy trails to you until we meet again
Happy trails to you keep smilin′ until then
Who cares about the clouds, if we're together
Just sing a song and bring the sunny weather

Happy trails to you ′til we meet again

Some trails are happy ones
Others are blue
It's the way you ride that trail that counts
Here's a happy one for you

Happy trails to you until we meet again
Happy trails to you keep smilin′ until then
Who cares about the clouds if we′re together
Just sing a song and bring the sunny weather

Happy trails to you 'til we meet again
Happy trails to you ′til we meet again

Honored and grateful to have been a tiny part of commotion creation with this great human. I spent a summer at the Center building UT’s first Solar Decathlon entry. Sending love to his family, who he always held as his proudest accomplishment.